Process for preparing explosive charges



named Apr. 11, 1933 UNITED STATES OSKAR MATTER, OF COLOGNE-MARIENBURG, GERMANY PROCESS FOR PREPARING EXPLOSIVE CHARGES No Drawing. Application filed April 20, 1931, Serial No. 531,623, and in Germany May 21, 1930.

It is known that nitro explosives which can be brought into molten condition without decomposition, as for example trinitrotoluol, after liquefaction and re-hardening become dificult of detonation so that in spite of the strongest initiation now and again either misfires completely or only incomplete detonations occur.

It has been found that this fault can be over-come and cast explosive charges prepared which are detonated with ease and-certainty if the explosive or mixture to be worked is handled as follows; the explosive is first dissolved in a solvent, as for example acetone and this solution then allowed to flow into a moving liquid which is miscible in all proportions with the solvent but does not dissolve the explosive, as, for example water. The precipitated explosive is now washed, if necessary reduced in size, and dried at temperatures below its melting point. The mass consisting of loose and porous granules is then carefully partially melted while being stirred mechanically or by blowing in air, in

such a manner that the explosive is not completely liquefied but contains along with molten material a considerable quantity of granules in suspension. As soon as this condition is reached the broth-like mass is emptied inknown manner into the mould.

As a result of the process, the cast product possesses a certain porous structure, which is believed to be of importance in giving the sure-fire characteristic, lacking in ordinary 5 cast explosives of this type. I

A variation consists in first melting a certain quantity of explosive in any desired form, and after liquefaction adding material precipitated in the above described manner while stirring until a conveniently pourable broth is formed which is then emptied into the mould. The loose explosive to be added to the molten mass can be the same or a different explosive substance. Both of the above described modes of working can be carried out at atmospheric pressure or at a higher pressure. In the latter case explosive charges of greater specific gravity are obtained.

I claim:

1. A process for preparing explosive charges in which the explosive to be worked is first dissolved in a solvent, the solution then added to a liquid in motion which is miscible with the solvent in any proportions but which does not dissolve the explosive, the'precipitated explosive after washing and drying partially melted to form a fluid mass containing unmelted granules in suspension, and the broth-like mass thus obtained cast in moulds.

2. A process for preparing explosive charges in which explosive precipitated ac- V cording to claim 1 is added to explosive ob tained in any desired way and melted, until a broth-like consistency is'reached and this mass cast in moulds.

3. A process according to claim 1 carried out under pressure above normal atmospheric.

4. Process as in claim 1 applied to a solid fusible nitro-aromatic explosive substance.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

OSKAR MATTER. 

